Getting a job after moving countries? Need advice. In a really bad place rn

Ok, so I'll make this as short as I can. I'm not gonna give much more detail than what I state here:

Due to personal reasons (nothing criminal or legal lol so don't assume), I will be leaving Canada and moving to the UK after my job contract ends in a few months here. 

I need advice on how I can grow my career in the UK once I move there.
I am a fresh graduate. Have AM internship experience in Big 5. Working in credit analysis right now at a major but less than big 5 bank (top 10?).
I'm totally realistic. I don't expect to move, and be hired immediately as a portfolio manager.

What I'm thinking is Admin Assistant at an AM/WM firm, and work my way up from there. One of my connections from a non finance background was able to do this, so I'm hoping I can also.
I've already been cold-messaging and emailing my connections to see if they can connect me to someone from their UK office. Unsuccessful so far, but working on it.

So my question is twofold: What are some smaller AM firms that I should be reaching out to in UK (preferably around Manchester) and do you have any other advice?

Thanks